Another year and once again we’ve found ourselves in the no man’s land the non-skier (or boarder) affectionately refers to as “summer vacation.” If you’re like me, your offseason blues peak somewhere between the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend. It’s not that I’m not entranced by the magic of another New England summer, but I will say this is the time of year when the wall of skis in the garage starts catching my eye again. Luckily for me (and you), late July into early August in the Belknap Mountains offers an all-natural, and completely organic cure for your summertime sadness—That’s right, Mother Nature’s been hard at working turning your lemons into lemonade, or more accurately, your blues into berries. 

Wild blueberries have long called the Belknap Range home. Stretching across the Lakes Region from Gilford to Alton, the gravelly soil and natural drainage of these mountains make up the perfect digs for these summer berries. Gunstock, along with our neighboring mountains, Piper and Belknap, offer an abundant supply of both free blueberries and breathtaking views. You’re unlikely to find a better summer two-fer in the state. 

You've got plenty of great options for where to pick your own. Piper Mountain boasts a mild incline and a carpet of wild blueberry bushes. Belknap Mountain offers a slightly more invigorating hike with great picking all along the white trail. If you’re headed Gunstock’s way along the blue trail from Belknap keep your eyes peeled along the side of the trails. There are plenty of bushes along Belknap’s downslope and again on Gunstock’s upslope. You can find a Belknap Range trail map, as well as a Gunstock hiking and biking trail map here. If you're ready to get out there, lace up your hiking boots, grab a water, and maybe bring an extra Nalgene along for berry storage on the way down. As always, remember to leave no trace as you hit the trails!

But wait, there's more!

Still pining for ski season after all that hiking? I feel ya, but there’s nothing a sweet treat can’t fix. Thanks to Gunstock’s resident baking connoisseur and tech wizard, Maggie Savage, I present to you a highly recommended coffee cake recipe. With their lower water content, wild blueberries make the perfect addition to your summer treats.

Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake - Barbara Bakes

While science searches on for a cure to the off-season blues, take it from us, these next few weeks of berry season will bring you pretty close to a full-recovery.